Women's Health

Calcifications Seen in Blood Vessels on Mammograms May Predict Stroke

In addition to detecting breast cancer in its early stages, new research suggests that mammograms may also help predict which women are at risk for strokes, say researchers at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference.

Calcifications found in the blood vessels of the breasts - what physicians call benign arterial calcifications - were more commonly found on the mammograms of women who had suffered a stroke, says Dr. Paul S. Dale at the University of Missouri.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death for women over 40, says Dr. Dale.

Previous studies, including some by the University of Missouri team, have found a link between these calcifications, which are not cancerous, and the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. But Dr. Dale says he believes this latest study has found an even stronger association.

Women with Strokes Had Calcification

In all, they looked at 793 mammograms of women ages 40 to 90. On the screening mammograms, 86 of the 793 women, or about 10 percent, had the calcifications. But 115 of the 204 women in the group who had had a stroke had the calcifications.

"Of those who had a stroke, 56 percent of them had these calcifications on their mammograms, compared to about 10 percent of women in the general population," says Dr. Dale.

"The important thing here is, we adjusted for age, because age increases your risk of stroke and also of having calcifications on your mammogram," he says.

While the finding is not brand new, it is interesting, notes Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum at the Heart and Vascular Institute at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"There have been other studies to show this," she says. "As a cardiologist, I would love this information."

Findings Should Be Shared, Doctors Say

It is one more piece of information, says Dr. Steinbaum, that could potentially help inform doctors about a woman's risk for cardiovascular disease.

If she got a mammogram from a patient with that information, she says, "It would lead me to believe I need to screen this woman for cardiovascular disease."

Dr. Dale's team is continuing to study the link between the calcifications and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

It is probably too soon, he says, to advise women to ask their physician if they have calcifications on the mammogram. After more research is done, that might be a consumer-savvy step.

Always consult your physician for more information.

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What is Mammography?

It is used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women who have breast problems such as a lump, pain, or nipple discharge, as well as for women who have no breast complaints.

The procedure allows for detection of breast cancers, benign tumors, and cysts before they can be detected by palpation (touch).

Mammography cannot prove that an abnormal area is cancer, but if it raises a significant suspicion of cancer, tissue will be removed for a biopsy.

Tissue may be removed by needle or open surgical biopsy and examined under a microscope to determine if it is cancer.

The development of digital mammography technology shows promise for improved breast imaging, in particular, for women less than 50 years of age, women with dense breast tissue, or women who are premenopausal or perimenopausal.

Digital mammography provides electronic images of the breasts that can be enhanced by computer technology, stored on computers, and even transmitted electronically in situations where remote access to the mammogram is required.

The procedure for a digital mammography is basically performed the same way as a standard mammogram.

Today's high-quality screening mammography is the most effective tool available to physicians in detecting breast cancer before lumps can be felt or symptoms of cancer appear.

Early detection of breast cancer not only helps provide a woman with more options, but also increases the possibility of a favorable prognosis.